The dramatic account of two American warships in the South Pacific, this book follows the USS Astoria (CA–34) and USS Chicago (CA–29) during the late summer of 1942, when both participated in the early days of the critical battle for Guadalcanal. Drawing on a variety of firsthand accounts, some previously unpublished, the book tells the story from the perspective of the men aboard each ship, transporting readers inside the gun turrets, behind the lookout binoculars, and below deck as the battle rages. Individual stories of heroism, sacrifice and survival unfold as both vessels meet their fates in the South Pacific.

Retail developer John J. Domagalski lives in the Chicago area. His articles have appeared in World War II History Magazine.

John J. Domagalski
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 232
Bibliographic Info: 47 photos, diagrams, maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-5897-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-6007-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi
Preface      1

PART ONE: ON THE ROAD TO WAR
1. Treaty Cruisers      5
2. Early Days      10
3. New Hands      22
4. Early Operations      27

PART TWO: GOING TO GUADALCANAL
5. Gathering Forces      33
6. Veterans      38
7. Rendezvous at Koro      43
8. The Voyage      46
9. Approach and Landing      51
10. Air Attacks      59
11. August Eighth      64

PART THREE: A NIGHT OFF SAVO ISLAND
12. Unheeded Warnings      75
13. Night Dispositions      79
14. The Enemy Arrives      84
15. A Torpedo Finds the Chicago      89
16. The Battle Moves North      95
17. Captain Greenman at the Helm      103
18. Below Deck      106
19. The Battle Continues      110
20. Escape      117
21. Help at Last      127
22. Commander Shoup at the Stern      135
23. The Fight to Save the Astoria      144
24. Abandon Ship!      152
25. Survivors      158

PART FOUR: THE FINAL VOYAGE OF THE CHICAGO
26. Stateside      169
27. Return to Guadalcanal      174
28. The Last Battle of the Chicago      178
29. Rescue      189

Epilogue: The Voyage Continued      199
Chapter Notes      207
Bibliography      217
Index      221

“an absorbing and poignant narrative”—Nautical Research Journal.